berlín
ber-LEEN
/beɾˈlin/
📝 In Action
Berlín es una ciudad con mucha historia.
A1Berlin is a city with a lot of history.
Viajamos a Berlín para visitar el Muro.
A2We traveled to Berlin to visit the Wall.
💡 Grammar Points
Proper Noun Usage
As a proper name, 'Berlín' is usually capitalized. Like most city names in Spanish, it doesn't usually require 'el' or 'la' before it, though you might hear it if someone is talking about the city's character (e.g., 'El Berlín de hoy').
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: berlín
Question 1 of 2
If someone in Santiago, Chile, asks you if you want a 'berlín,' what are they most likely offering?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'berlín' mean both a city and a dessert?
The city came first! The dessert, which is a type of filled doughnut, is a variation of the German pastry known as a 'Berliner Pfannkuchen.' When this pastry was introduced to Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the Southern Cone, they simply adopted the short name 'berlín' for the sweet treat.
Is 'berlín' a feminine or masculine noun?
When referring to the pastry, it is masculine: 'el berlín'. When referring to the city, it is a proper noun, but if you need to use an article to describe it, it is usually treated as masculine (e.g., 'El moderno Berlín').